If 1000 Wishes Came True

 

Dannika had the Make a Wish Trip of her lifetime! We were wish #1000 for South Dakota. How amazing is that? As we arrived at the airport after a night at the hotel in Sioux Falls, we were met with a barrage of reporters and cameras and Make A Wish volunteers all there to send us off and cheer for wish #1000. Dannika was so very poised and answered all their questions so well. So very proud of her.

 

These volunteers do miracle work for so many children across South Dakota. We can't say thank you enough for making Dannika's dream of meeting Good Luck Charlie come true. It was an experience to remember forever.

Here's a glimpse of the hotel in Sioux Falls. We still have to do treatments every day, wish or no wish. She was ready to go swimming, but sat through the whole treatment, with only a few grumbles.

And finally, swimming! I do believe this may be her favorite thing to do.

We were equipped with letters for each leg of our flight plan and Dannika got to go in the cock pit for every flight. We flew United the whole way and I was so impressed with these pilots. Every one announced Dannika throughout the plane and we have had some planes clapping for her. She beamed!

 

AND - Hollywood!!

We had to make a stop at the American Girl store for our wish girl.

Ta-daa, a new doll to remember our trip! Saige is now hers.

We got to see the filming of Extra. I knew those people looked familiar!

Universal Studios!

Shrek - in real life!

And - Homer and Marge. My kids don't really know who these guys are, but anyone dressed up and posing for pictures looked good to them.

 

We had to take a Dodgers picture for the boys' coach. Mr. Brad Noem - this one's for you!

The Studio Tour was probably the most fun, even though Destiny was screaming because she was so scared. The dinosaurs were eating her. It's unbelievable how real they can make it look.

 

This was our wonderful hotel worker. Pedro - was WONDERFUL to the girls. Each night he adorned them with something special and we had to get one special picture. This was on Valentine's Day and my beauties each got a flower! Yikes - it's starting already.

We enjoyed a few hours in the pool. The weather was GREAT! It was so much fun to see all the kids playing and enjoying each other. It seems like life gets to busy and stressful and we forget to just ENJOY every part of life. Sometimes it's nice to sit back and look and forget about the disease, the day to day treatments and just be... but not for too long. We NEVER skip treatments.

Destiny got to practice her swimming moves too!

 

Our limo to take us the the LA Studio where they film Good Luck Charlie and Shake it Up and a few others. This was what Dannika was waiting for. Unfortunately, I can't yet post any pictures of the cast. We are still waiting for Disney approval, which may never come. I can tell you that they spent hours with us all. We got to watch them film the show. Destiny was noticing how all the furniture was different, as they are into the new season. The cast members were so nice and treated the kids so well. They all took time to answer their questions and talk with them. Dannika and Destiny got to sing with Bridget Mendler. She was amazing!~ We got autographs and pictures. Destiny hit it off with Amy - the mom. Those two were a real hoot together. The mom is exactly like she is portrayed on the show in real life. Not even kidding. Love her!! Gabe seemed to be a typical teenager. PJ is actually very, very nice and smart, unlike his character in the show. Thank you to Make a Wish for making this even possible. It was a once in a lifetime event!

I just love this picture. It's not too often that these two get to bond. That ten year age difference makes things hard sometimes. I'm guessing once he's past these teenage years and in college, they may have a wonderful friendship, but for now, I'm cherishing this picture!!